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 (Photo courtesy of Princeton's Office of Athletic Communications) caption:
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Former Tiger Star Wente Back on Scene; Sparking Merrill Lynch in Summer Hoops
Bill Alden
For Kyle Wente, one of the best things about working in New York City is that he is an easy train ride away from Jadwin Gym.
Since starting to work with Merrill Lynch last summer, the former Princeton University basketball star has been hopping on the New Jersey Transit for occasional trips to his old hoops stomping grounds.
At the urging of former Tiger teammate Ahmed El-Nokali, Wente strayed a little bit to the Community Park courts to play with El-Nokali's Merrill Lynch team in the Princeton Recreation Department summer men's basketball league.
After helping Merrill reach the semifinals in last year's playoffs, Wente is back for a second season and has helped the team get off to a 4-0 start.
The opportunity to go to battle with El-Nokali helped convince Wente to make the three-hour round trips to the games.
"More than anything, it's great to get the chance to play with Ahmed again," said Wente, a 2003 Princeton graduate who was a three-time All-Ivy League honorable mention selection during his Tiger basketball career.
"I'd walk on any court with him. He has a never-say-die attitude. Anytime he plays, he's there to win. He'll do anything it takes to win. I think he'd say I'm the same way."
After the frustrating exit to Upper Makefield in last year's semis, Wente believes Merrill can go farther this summer.
"It's going well, I think we have better players," said Wente, noting that the addition of current Princeton star Luke Owings has given the team a lift. "We get to run around and set the young guys up, it's been a lot of fun."
Wente has also enjoyed the competitive atmosphere around the Community Park courts. "I'm quite impressed with the league," said Wente, a native of Effingham, Ill. "Sometimes outdoor leagues can get a little rough but this is a well-conducted league. The refs are familiar with the players and the players and refs are familiar with the organizers. There is a general respect, it's a community feeling."
Being part of the Princeton basketball scene on that level means a lot to Wente. "I absolutely loved my Princeton experience," declared Wente. "To be in this league and still be a part of the community to some extent is great."
When Wente looks back at the highlights of his Princeton experience, he points to his sophomore season.
"Winning the Ivy title and going to the NCAAs was great," recalled the 6'4, 190-pound who shot 51 percent from the field overall and averaged 10.8 points a game in Ivy contests during that magical 2000-01 campaign. "I played with great guys like Nate [Walton] and Ahmed. We did more than anyone expected us to."
Wente credits the Princeton coaches with helping him realize his potential beyond the basketball court.
"The coaches made you responsible," said Wente, an economics major who works on the Global Investment and Wealth Management desk at Merrill. "You're going to have to work your butt off in the class and on the court. Those were things that have helped me in the real world."
Those who have shared that intense experience have formed deep bonds, according to Wente.
"Every Friday during reunion week we have an alumni game followed by a cookout," said Wente. "Everyone has a mutual respect for each other. I play pickup games in New York during the winter with some of the players who came before me like Jason Osier, Jesse Rosenfeld, and James Mastaglio. They treat you as if you went to school with them. It's been great to be part of Princeton basketball."
And playing in the summer league for Merrill has helped Wente extend his special Princeton basketball ride.
